Digest/ Local News in Brief

Ricocheting Bullet Strikes Man in Chin

A Santa Clarita man who locked himself in his bathroom after an argument Saturday was hit by a ricocheting bullet after his girlfriend fired at the door's lock, authorities said.

Herman Espetia, 23, was shot in the chin about 2:13 a.m. and taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Community Hospital, where he was in stable condition Saturday afternoon, officials said. The bullet went through the door, ricocheted off the sink and hit Espetia.

His girlfriend, Gregoria Granados, 23, was arrested on suspicion of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner.

"She told him if he refused to come out, she was going to shoot the lock and she did," said Deputy John Bayliss.

Granados was free on $5,000 bail Saturday night. The shooting occurred in Espetia and Granados' home in the 18800 block of Mandan Avenue, authorities said.